Henry Grady of San Francisco is appointed by President Truman as the United States' first ambassador to India. Despite reservations by Great Britain and the Soviet Union, the U.N. Security Council votes to grant the United States trusteeship of the Japanese Pacific islands. In Moscow, U.S. Secretary of State Marshall proposes revisions of Polish borders. In other news, King George II of Greece dies. He is succeeded by his brother Prince Paul. In Frankfurt, former Nazi minister of food Herbert Backe commits suicide while in prison. | The New York Yankees capture this year's World Series, beating the Brooklyn Dodgers 4 games to 3. The Chicago Cardinals defeat the Eagles in the NFL Championship. Philadelphia wins NBA title against Chicago. Toronto beats Montreal to win the Stanley Cup in hockey. Joe Fulks leads the NBA in scoring this year, with an average of 23.2 points per game. Longtime heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis retains his title, defeating Joe Walcott in the 15th round. |
On April 12: Today is Fort Sumter Day, anniversary of the bombardment of Fort Sumter in 1861, setting off the Civil War. It's also Space Probe Day, commemorating the first manned orbit around the earth by a Russian astronaut in 1961. In North Carolina, people are celebrating Halifax Resolutions Day, commemorating the resolutions of independence in 1776. These influenced the national Declaration of Independence. In 1892, the first portable typewriter is patented in Stamford, Conn. | In 1947, a gallon of milk sold for
$.80, a loaf of bread sold for $.12, a new car sold for $1,500.00, a gallon of gas sold for $.18, and a new house sold for $12,309.00. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was about 181.16. Now in 2000, the average price for a gallon of milk is $3.24a loaf of bread is $1.72, a new car is $17,695.00 a gallon of gas is $1.26, a new house is $134,120.00, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average is about 11,250.14. The average wage earner in 1947 made $2,854.00 per year, compared to $21,951.28 today. |
John R. Cobb drives the Railton Mobil Special to speeds exceeding 400 mph. Dr. Frank G. Back demonstrates his camera lens the Zoomar, the lens can be adjusted for close-up or long-distance shots. | Harry S Truman/No Vice President On this date, Harry S Truman was president and there was no vice president. After only a few weeks as vice president, Truman had the presidency thrust upon him by Roosevelt's sudden death. "Pray for me, boys," he said at a press conference. Truman vowed to carry on Roosevelt's policies. |
Television is making its way into the hearts and homes of America with seven stations broadcasting. Meanwhile, on Broadway, it's the first year of the Tony Awards. In the movie theaters, "Gentleman's Agreement" takes the Best Picture Oscar. The hit songs this year include "For Sentimental Reasons" and "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah." | "Gentleman's Agreement"- Directed by Elia Kazan won the Best Movie Academy Award in 1947. Also this year, the Academy Award for Best Actor went to Ronald Colman for his role in "A Double Life" and the Best Actress Award went to LorettaYoung for her role in "The Farmer's Daughter". |
